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Playground Safety

Topic Overview

Playgrounds may have hazards that can cause injury. Following some
basic safety measures can help your child have fun and play safely.

General checks

Make sure there is a soft surface under play
equipment, such as sand, wood chips, or rubber matting.

Check the
surface temperature of play equipment if it is warm outside.

Wooden
equipment should be smooth and made from all-weather wood. Check surfaces
periodically to make sure there is no splintering.

Check equipment
for loose joints, open chains, exposed bolts, sharp edges, and rust. If the
equipment is in a public park, report any problems to the appropriate
personnel.

Specific equipment

Children younger than age 5 should be closely
supervised and play on the equipment separately from older children.

Swings should be made from soft and flexible material. Your child
should sit in a bucket swing with leg holes until he or she is able to safely
sit in the middle of a standard swing. Have your child use both hands. Do not
allow more than one child on the same swing. Help your child learn to stay away
from swings while others are using them.

A teeter-totter (seesaw)
should only be used by children age 3 and older. Partners should be close in age
and of similar weight. Children younger than 3 do not have the physical
coordination to safely use this equipment.

Make sure children go
single-file up steps to use slides and that they do not climb up the slide's
surface. Have your child exit the landing of the slide quickly, so that other
children coming down the slide don't fall on your child.

Don't let a child younger than 4 use climbing equipment that's taller than he or she is, unless you will watch the child at all times.

Trampolines aren't safe for children. Even with constant adult supervision and protective netting, many children are injured on them. It's best to keep your child off trampolines.

Also make sure children are not wearing jewelry, such as
necklaces, or clothing with strings attached, such as a hooded sweatshirt, that
may get caught in the playground equipment and cause injury.

Other Places To Get Help

Organization

American Academy of Pediatrics

141 Northwest Point Boulevard

Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098

Phone:

(847) 434-4000

Fax:

(847) 434-8000

Web Address:

www.aap.org

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a
variety of educational materials about parenting,
general growth and development, immunizations, safety, disease prevention, and more. AAP guidelines for various conditions and links to other
organizations are also available.

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